SmallNetBuilder

Features

The 207's feature set is similar to that of both the CS-406 (minus RAID 5) and the DS-106e. So you can consult both those reviews for details while I just hit the highlights here. Or if you'd like a page-by-page walk through the features, use the slideshow link below.

Check out the slideshow for an admin interface tour.

Figure 4 shows that Synology has changed the interface a bit from the CS-406, but retained the basic approach and organization. The Site Map that is part of the Information > Summary page is something that other companies should copy.

Figure 4: Login landing page

A key differentiation of the Synology line is the breadth of services it offers. If hosting a website is your thing, the 207 has its own MySQL server to host your database along with PHP support—features which are, I think, unique to Synology's NASes. Both anonymous and user authenticated FTP are also available for file transfer and include up and download bandwidth controls and IP block list.

Synology's Photo Station server is also included, which provides a personal alternative to web photo sharing services. You just upload your photos to a pre-made share on the 207, point a web browser to the /photo directory at the 207's IP address and start browsing photo albums.

There are also other options for media serving. You can enable a UPnP AV server for use with the increasing number of networked media players that grok that method. An iTunes server can also be enabled, but according to this AMUG review doesn't support serving Apple DRM'd media or work with Front Row. The article does, however, offer some workarounds.

File downloaders will be happy to learn that the Download Service feature can now download BitTorrent, FTP, and HTTP files without requiring an external computer running a redirector program.

Other feature highlights include:

• IPP and LPR print serving is supported for one USB printer, but not for printers requiring bi-directional support. Mac OS users should note that only PostScript printers are supported.
  
  
• Logging includes separate System, Connection, Backup, USB Copy and Network Backup Logs. All can be cleared and saved. Syslog logging isn't supported, but email alerts are. Note that username / password SMTP authentication is supported and ...it works!
  
  
• System > Power Management includes idle time 'hibernation' settings from 10 minutes to 5 hours. No programmable shutdown / boot schedule, though.
  
  
• AFP is supported for Mac OS users, but NFS isn't. The 207 can also join both Active Directory and NT4 domains.
  
  
• A built in Backup service can save selected shares to a USB-attached drive or networked share. Note that you can't browse for a network share or sub-folders to be backed-up. Synology also provides a Windows-only program for client backup.
  
  
• The front panel USB Copy button will copy all the data from a USB device plugged into the front panel USB port to a selected share.